One person was killed last night in a major crash on the westbound President George Bush Turnpike near Midway Road, a wreck that shut down a key stretch of the tollway and threw traffic across the northern suburbs into gridlock. Emergency crews worked the scene while troopers diverted drivers onto nearby roads, and the Texas Department of Public Safety said the victim’s name will be released after family members are notified.
What officials reported
According to WFAA, the crash happened on the westbound lanes of the President George Bush Turnpike near Midway Road and led authorities to close the westbound main lanes at the Dallas North Tollway. DPS also said the northbound and southbound Dallas North Tollway exit ramps that feed onto the westbound turnpike were shut, with traffic being funneled onto the tollway instead.
Traffic ripple effects
The PGBT acts as a partial beltway along the northern edge of Dallas and carries heavy commuter traffic, so a shutdown at the Dallas North Tollway interchange can quickly spill delays onto nearby arterials. As The Dallas Morning News has noted, maintenance and ramp work on the PGBT and DNT often force lengthy detours and stretch out evening drive times. Drivers in the area were urged to find alternate routes and brace for delays while crews worked to clear the wreckage.
Investigation and updates
State troopers did not immediately release information about what triggered the collision or how many vehicles and people were involved, DPS told the station. Investigators remained on scene Thursday evening, and officials said more details would be shared once the initial investigation moves forward.
